Why Film?
Why film you ask? Shooting with film is an artistic decision, part science, part artistic tool. Having film cameras in our “tool box” makes sense to us for three main reasons. The first is that we learned photography using film, (pre digital), why throw away all that knowledge? The second is that the combination of film and film cameras create soft beautiful images, specifically with medium format film, (which is a large negative), and third – it sets us apart from most wedding photographers. These days shooting with film is a niche market, one which we gladly take part in! We feel that strongly about the art of creating the images we’re commissioned to create. Shooting with film does cost a little more, but we feel it’s worth it. It’s as if film breaths life into images as living breathing photographs. Film, as an artistic tool, captures emotionally powerful images with beautiful soft tones. All the film we shoot gets scanned during processing at the lab. A good lab is most important, our lab of choice is the best lab we’ve found, we use Richard Photo Lab.
Please take a look at the different cameras we use below to learn more about the gear we use and the images we create. After all, it isn’t the camera, it’s the photographer, but having really great equipment helps! The film cameras listed here are no longer produced, and are therefore even more special. Film and film cameras can still be purchased at camera stores. Give them a try! If you have any questions about film cameras, feel free to ask, I may know the answer! You can also follow us on IG at @karenhillweddings.
FILM CAMERAS
Medium Format Film Cameras:
Contax 645, with an 80mm f2 and a 45mm f2.8 Carl Zeiss Optics Lens
This camera is one of my favorites and in my opinion, is the best camera ever made. This auto focus camera shoots a rectangle, an actual 6×4.5 negative size. There are 32 images per roll on 220 film and 16 images per roll on 120 film. I use 400, 800 or 3200 ISO film.
Hasselblad 500CM, with an 80mm f2.8 Carl Zeiss Optics Lens
This Swedish made camera is a vintage beauty from around the 1960’s. It’s shutter makes a specific loud “kerrrplunk” sound, music to my ears. It shoots a square 6×6 negative, with 24 images per roll on 220 film. This is a completely manual camera, there is no battery which means no light meter. A hand held light meter is a must. It’s Carl Zeiss lens renders images that are extremely sharp and at the same time, a little dreamy. I use 400, 800 or 3200 ISO film. I adore this camera.
In 1969, a slightly modified Hasselbald went to the moon on the Lunar space shuttle, Apollo 11 when astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin became the first people to reach the moon. A little history side note!
Rolleiflex, with an 80mm 2.8 Carl Zeiss Optics Twin Lens

Holga
35mm Film Camera:
Widelux F7
DIGITAL CAMERAS